Lining for a Padding Device for Sports

ABSTRACT

A lining for a padding device for sports includes a buffer pad having outer and inner surfaces. A plurality of slots extends from the outer surface through the inner surface. The inner surface of the buffer pad is wavy and mounted to an inner surface of a padding device. A wavy, air-impermeable first sealing layer is bonded to the outer surface and is in contact with the inner surface of the padding device. A wavy, air-impermeable second sealing layer is bonded to the inner surface of the buffer pad. The first and second sealing layers seal the of the buffer pad. The second sealing layer is in contact with a body of a wearer. Spaces are defined between the wavy second sealing layer and the body of the wearer for convection of air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lining for a padding device for sports and, more particularly, to a lining mounted inside an outer armor of a padding device for football and in contact with a body of a wearer to provide enhanced resistance to impact.

Padding devices or pads are generally required in vigorous sports such as football to protect the players while allowing vigorousness in the game. The padding devices generally include an outer armor made of plastic material with sufficient toughness for absorbing impact. The padding devices also include a lining inside the outer armor. The lining is made of foam material to absorb residual impact. The players sweat a lot and generate a considerable amount of heat during the game. The heat dissipating effect provided by conventional linings is not satisfactory, leading to discomfort to the players. Furthermore, the impact absorption provided by the conventional linings is insufficient in vigorous situations.

Thus, a need exists for a novel lining for a padding device with enhanced heat dissipating effect and with enhanced impact absorbing effect.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of heat dissipation and impact absorption of padding devices for sports by providing, a lining including a buffer pad having outer and inner surfaces. A plurality of slots extends from the outer surface through the inner surface of the buffer pad. The inner surface of the buffer pad is wavy and adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of a padding device. A first sealing layer is bonded to the outer surface of the buffer pad. The first sealing layer is impermeable to air and adapted to be in contact with the inner surface of the padding device. A second sealing layer is bonded to the inner surface of the buffer pad. The second sealing layer is wavy and has a shape corresponding to that of the inner surface of the buffer pad. The second sealing layer is impermeable to air. The first and second sealing layers seal the plurality of slots of the buffer pad. The second sealing layer is adapted to be in contact with a body of a wearer. Spaces are defined between the wavy second sealing layer and the body of the wearer for convection of air. A plurality of air cushioning columns is formed by the plurality of slots and the first and second sealing layers, providing enhanced resistance to impact.

In a form shown, a plurality of vents extends from the first sealing layer through the second sealing layer. The plurality of vents cooperates with the wavy second sealing layer to provide air convention.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a padding device utilizing two linings according to the present invention, with one of the linings removed for clarity.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of the padding device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a rear elevational view of the padding device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the padding device of FIG. 2 according to section line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the padding device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows the padding device of FIG. 2 worn on a wearer.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “lower”, “upper”, “inner”, “outer”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “spacing”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A lining 101 according to the present invention is utilized in a padding device 10 for sports. In the form shown, padding device 10 is for football and includes two symmetric main pads 20 made of plastic material to form light structure with sufficient toughness and rigidity. Each main pad 20 includes a front section 22, a rear section 24, and a shoulder section 26 intermediate front and rear sections 22 and 24. Each main pad 20 further includes an outer, first surface 28 and an inner, second surface 30. Shoulder section 26 of each main pad 20 has an arcuate recessed portion 32. First surface 28 of each main pad 20 includes a protruded reinforced portion 34 formed on front section 22. First surface 28 of each main pad 20 further includes a protruded reinforcing block 35 formed on rear section 24. A plurality of perforations 36 extends from first surface 28 through second surface 30 in areas of each main pad 20 corresponding to reinforced portion 34 and reinforcing block 35. An engagement groove 25 is formed in first surface 28 of each main pad 20 and located in rear section 24.

In the form shown, padding device 10 further includes three first connecting member 40 on second surfaces 30 of main pads 20. One of first connecting members 40 is provided between front sections 22 of main pads 20 (FIG. 2). The remaining two first connecting members 40 are riveted to rear sections 24 of main pads 20 (FIG. 3). Main pads 20 are, thus, connected as a single member with arcuate recessed portions 32 defining a space allowing passage of a head of a wearer. A first interconnecting member 59, such as a loop fastener, is mounted to second surface 30 at shoulder section 26 of each main pad 20.

In the form shown, padding device 10 further includes a front guard board 44 below front sections 22 of main pads 20 and having spaced outer and inner faces 46 and 48. A plurality of apertures 52 extends from outer face 46 through inner face 48 of front guard board 44.

In the form shown, padding device 10 further includes two second connecting members 42 each connecting front section 22 of one of main pads 20 to front guard board 44. Specifically, each second connecting member 42 is fixed by rivets to second surface 30 of one of main pads 20 and to inner face 48 of front guard board 44. Thus, front sections 22 of main pads 20 and front guard board 44 are connected by second connecting members 42.

In the form shown, padding device 10 further includes two shoulder pads 58 each connected by a third connecting member 60, such as a loop fastener, to shoulder section 26 of one of main pads 20 such that shoulder pads 58 are movable relative to main pad 20.

In the form shown, padding device 10 further includes two straps 54 each having a first end fixed to outer face 46 of front guard board 44 and a second end having a substantially T-shaped clasp 55. A strap 57 has a first end fixed to an intermediate portion of each strap 54 and a second end fixed to second surface 30 of one of main pads 20. Clasp 55 of each strap 54 releasably engages with engagement groove 25 of one of main pads 20 to provide a suitable spacing between front and rear sections 22 and 24 of main pad 20.

In the form shown, padding device 10 is equipped with two linings 101. Each lining 101 includes a buffer pad 103 having outer and inner surfaces 105 and 107. Outer surface 105 is smooth, and inner surface 107 is wavy and includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions (FIGS. 4 and 5). Each buffer pad 103 further includes a plurality of slots 109 extending from outer surface 105 through inner surface 107 and having circular cross sections. Each buffer pad 103 is substantially U-shaped and includes front and rear portions 115 and 117 and a shoulder portion 119 extending between front and rear portions 115 and 117.

In the form shown, each lining 101 further includes a first sealing layer 111 and a second sealing layer 113. Each of first and second sealing layers 111 and 113 is made of nylon and impermeable to air and has a face coated with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

When forming each lining 101, first sealing layer 111 is applied to outer surface 105 of buffer pad 103, and second sealing layer 113 is applied to inner surface 107. First and second sealing layers 111 and 113 are heated by a heating device, such as an iron, and, thus, bonded to outer and inner surfaces 105 and 107. After taking shape, second sealing layer 113 is also wavy and includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions corresponding to those of inner surface 107 of buffer pad 103. Furthermore, slots 109 of buffer pad 103 is sealed by first and second sealing layers 111 and 113. Thus, a plurality of air cushioning columns 110 is formed by slots 109 and first and second sealing layers 111 and 113. As a result, lining 101 provides enhanced shock absorbing effect and enhanced resistance to impact. Furthermore, the overall weight of lining 101 is reduced.

In the form shown, each lining 101 further includes a plurality of vents 121 in front portion 115 and/or rear portion 117. Each vent 121 extends from first sealing layer 111 through second sealing layer 113. Each lining 101 further includes a neck protecting ridge 131 on an edge of shoulder portion 119.

In the form shown, each lining 101 further includes a second interconnecting member 77 (such as a hook fastener) provided on first sealing layer 111 at shoulder portion 119. Each lining 101 further includes two first engaging members 125 (such as loop fasteners) provided on second sealing layer 113 at shoulder portion 119. First engaging members 125 are spaced from each other. Each lining 101 further includes two pads 123 made of foam material and includes a second engaging member 127 (such as a hook fastener). Each second engaging member 127 is releasably engaged with one of first engaging members 125. Thus, pads 123 can be attached to shoulder portion 119 of each lining 101, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the form shown, each lining 101 is engaged with second surface 30 of one of main pads 20. Each second interconnecting member 77 releasably engages with one of first interconnecting members 59 (FIG. 4), with front portion 115 aligned with front section 22, with rear portion 117 aligned with rear section 24, and with shoulder portion 119 aligned with shoulder section 26. Vents 121 of each lining 101 are aligned with perforations 36 of one of main pads 20 and apertures 52 of front guard board 44. Neck protecting ridges 131 of linings 101 are located between arcuate recessed portions 32 of main pads 20. Spaced neck protecting ridges 131 define an upper opening 62 allowing passage of the head of the wearer. Front portion 115 of each lining 101 is spaced from rear portion 117 to form a lower opening 64 and a side opening 66. Further, rivets 29 are extended through linings 101, main pads 20, and front guard board 44. A button 129 is provided on an inner end of each rivet 29 on an inner side of lining 101 to prevent from injury to the wearer.

Now that the basic construction of padding device 10 has been explained, the operation and some of the advantages of padding device 10 can be set forth and appreciated. In particular, for the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that clasps 55 of straps 54 are disengaged from engagement grooves 25. The wearer extends his head from lower opening 64 through upper opening 62 until the neck of the wearer is located between neck protecting ridges 131. The wearer extends his arms out of padding device 10 via side openings 66 (FIG. 6). Front portions 115 of linings 101 abut the chest of the wearer, and rear portions 117 of linings 101 abut the back of the wearer. Pads 123 are in contact with the shoulder of the wearer. Clasps 55 of straps 54 are engaged with engaging grooves 25. Neck protecting ridges 131 are of suitable thickness and softness to protect the neck of the wearer from being injured by rigid main pads 20. Furthermore, wavy second sealing layer 113 of each lining 101 is in contact with the body of the wearer. Spaces are defined between the recesses of linings 101 and the body of the wearer to allow convection of air. Thus, heat generated by the wearer during sporting can be dissipated through vents 121, perforations 36, and apertures 52, providing wearing comfort.

By forming air cushioning columns 110 with first and second sealing layers 111 and 113 and slots 109, lining 101 according to the present invention can assist in absorbing impact to padding device 10. Furthermore, the weight of each buffer pad 103 is reduced due to provision of slots 109. The overall weight of padding device 10 is, thus, reduced.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the cross sections of slots 109 do not have to be circular. As an example, slots 109 can include rectangular or triangular cross sections. Furthermore, lining 101 according to the present invention can be utilized in other padding devices other than padding device 10 shown. As an example, lining 101 can be mounted to an inner surface of a knee pad or an elbow pad, providing enhanced effect in absorbing impact to a knee or an elbow of the wearer. In this case, buffer pad 103 has a shape corresponding to the knee pad or elbow pad.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A lining for a padding device for sports comprising, in combination: a buffer pad (103) including outer and inner surfaces (105, 107), with a plurality of slots (109) extending from the outer surface (105) through the inner surface (107) of the buffer pad (103), with the inner surface (107) of the buffer pad (103) being wavy and adapted to be mounted to an inner surface of a padding device (10); a first sealing layer (111) bonded to the outer surface (105) of the buffer pad (103), with the first sealing layer (111) being impermeable to air and adapted to be in contact with the inner surface of the padding device (10); a second sealing layer (113) bonded to the inner surface (107) of the buffer pad (103), with the second sealing layer (113) being wavy and having a shape corresponding to that of the inner surface (107) of the buffer pad (103), with the second sealing layer (113) being impermeable to air, with the first and second sealing layers (111, 113) sealing the plurality of slots (109) of the buffer pad (103), with the second sealing layer (113) adapted to be in contact with a body of a wearer, with spaces defined between the wavy second sealing layer (113) and the body of the wearer for convection of air.
 2. The lining for a padding device for sports as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, in combination: a plurality of vents (121) extending from the first sealing layer (111) through the second sealing layer (113), with the plurality of vents (121) cooperating with the wavy second sealing layer (113) to provide air convention. 